Each year, on the second Tuesday in October, the HBA hosts its annual board election. This election, governed by the HBA bylaws, decides who represents the business community of Hillcrest. The HBA also manages the election for the Uptown Community Parking District for Hillcrest business seats. Important documents and biographies for folks who are running are below and more will be added as they become available.

Current Election Documents:

2023: Board Election Memo, Nominations Form, members in poor standing, Proxy Ballot

Candidates for HBA Board of Directors:

Ryan Bedrosian / Rich’s Nightclub

Ryan Bedrosian, owner of Rich’s San Diego nightclub, is a well-known business leader, philanthropist, and activist in the local LGBTQ community. Born in New Jersey, Ryan was raised in San Diego and has deep family roots in town. He has been a part of Rich’s since 2008 when he became General Manager, and took the reins as owner at the end of 2019. In the community, Ryan serves as President of the Hillcrest Business Association, and as a member of both the San Diego Police Department’s Chief’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, and Mayor Todd Gloria’s LGBTQ Advisory Board. 

Sheila Kazemaini / UClick Properties LLC

I have over 25 years of experience in property management.  I am known for being a problem solver, effective communicator, thought leader, and relationship builder.  I am concerned about the growing homeless population in Hillcrest and it’s effect on neighborhood safety and cleanliness, as well as causing Hillcrest's recent loss of some well-known national businesses. Hillcrest is a wonderfully unique and vibrant area of San Diego and I would like to work with my fellow Hillcrest business owners to ensure that Hillcrest is a safe, vibrant, walkable area that will attract customers and tenants to our businesses.

Gioia Marino / Gioia’s Room

Gioia Marino is a proud business owner in Hillcrest. Her Styling House of Inclusion has been a retail staple in the community for over 11 years. Gioia’s Room offers unique & one of a kind styles, in house styling, reworked pieces and complementary alterations with purchase. 

Gioia is an active participant in all Hillcrest community events - such as the reoccurring monthly event A Walk in A.R.T.,  City Fest, Pride and many more. 

She is also an active member of the community 

in other respects. From having spoken at a press conference at the Mayor’s office - on behalf of her fellow business owners -  to having participated in multiple news appearances; discussing local community business, safety and upcoming events. 

Gioia is very excited at the possibility of being a member of The Board of Directors for the HBA. As a long standing retail business owner, she is ready to offer a new, vivacious, fresh perspective & voice to the board! 

Trent St. Louis / Realtor

Trent St. Louis has been a full time Realtor for 25 years in metro San Diego and works for the real estate brokerage, The Metropolitan Group. Trent also owned and operated his own real estate office in San Diego before selling it in 2004. Before his real estate career, Trent worked for Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California Division as a Humans Resources Director. Trent has a Bachelors in Liberal Arts and a Professional Designation in Human Resource Management from UCLA. Trent is a local San Diego resident, who lives in Hillcrest. 

Monica Montano / Scripps Health

Monica Montaño joined Scripps Health in 2002 where she first served as the Marketing and Communications Manager for Scripps Mercy Chula Vista. She became Director of Government and Community Relations in 2010 where she is responsible for representing Scripps Health in business, industry, civic associations and local legislative offices as well as community organizations in San Diego County and northern Baja California. Prior to joining Scripps, Monica worked at Southwestern College for eight years holding different positions in the Community Relations department. She also worked for Chula Vista City Councilmember Jerry Rindone and formed part of the Assembly District office team for Assemblymember Denise Moreno Ducheny. Monica has served in leadership roles including Past Chair, current Chair of the Public Policy Committee and Executive Board Member of the South County Economic Development Council, Executive Board Member for the Downtown San Diego Partnership, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce International Business Affairs Committee Member, board member of the Public Policy Committee of the SDSU Campanile Foundation and the San Diego Padres Hispanic Community Advisory Council. Monica received a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Journalism from San Diego State University. She then completed her Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Global Management. In 2008 she graduated from Scripps Health’s Leadership Academy and she joined the 2021 cohort and graduated from the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) HOPE Leadership Institute (HLI). Monica has received several accolades throughout the years including 2016 Woman of the Year, 78 th Assembly District on behalf of Speaker Emeritus Toni Atkins, Regional Leadership Award 2016 from the South County Economic Development Council and was named one of San Diego Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2008. Monica, her husband Luis and daughter Isabela reside in Chula Vista, CA.

Shanna Valencia, Hairspray

Hi, I’m Shanna Valencia and a Master Stylist/Owner of Hairspray Salon who has 23 years of experience. I love mentoring my staff & have fun working with my clients to create unique looks. I have colored & cut it all. When I’m not at the salon,  I enjoy giving back to my community & hanging out with my four granddaughters.

Matt Ramon, Urban MO’s

Matthew Ramon has been involved with the San Diego community for over 30 years. Originally from Michigan, Ramon moved to California in 1991 and helped with the opening of Hamburger Mary’s – now Urban MOs (MOs) - alongside Chris Shaw and Doug Snyder. Mentored by Shaw, Ramon worked diligently and advanced to become co-owner of MOs, San Diego’s largest gay bar. 

Along the way, Ramon and his business partners developed other prominent LGBTQ+ restaurants in Hillcrest such as Baja Betty’s, Gossip Grill, and Hillcrest Brewing Company.  In 2018, Ramon opened insideOUTwith the vision of having an elevated venue for Hillcrest to experience.

Ramon is a pillar and leader of the San Diego LGBTQ+ community. In partnership with the Hillcrest Business Association and Tom Abass, Ramon founded the Hillcrest Mardi Gras street party that brought the entire community together for one of the most festive times of the year. In addition, Ramon is the founder of the Tantrums & Tiaras fundraiser. For a decade, Tantrums raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the San Diego LGBT Center. 

During the pandemic, Ramon continued to operate MOs and insideOUT by implementing safety protocols that protected the staff allowing them to continue working and more importantly, provided the community an outlet to still have a homo away from home.

In 2021, Ramon became the CEO and owner of MOs. Ramon believes in the importance of giving back to the community. He and his partner organize numerous events that raise awareness for a variety of nonprofits and organizations; donating and raising money to empower them. He prides himself for having his establishments as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community. He serves on the Hillcrest Business Association.      

Andrei Lechert-Kelly, Eitol Towers

As a current HBA Board Member, a long-term resident of Hillcrest and Site-Manager of Eitol Towers, I am delighted to be a candidate for the Hillcrest Business Association. I love Hillcrest and the inclusivity, creativity and growth I have witnessed over the past 10 years. I cannot wait to continually watch the endless possibilities this organization can make an impact on Hillcrest in years to come including the Hillcrest Promenade between Normal Street and University Avenue.  

Thank You!  Sincerely, Andrei

Cecelia Moreno, Crest Cafe

Mike Burnett, Foundation for Form

More biographies coming soon:

Election for the UCPD Board of Directors representing Hillcrest Businesses:

The HBA hosts the Uptown Community parking District elections for Hillcrest business representatives at the HBA’s Annual Meeting on 10/10/23. The UCPD manages a portion of the parking meter money generated in Uptown to improve the neighborhoods of uptown. You’re more than welcome to participate in the voting or even run for one of the seats. There are two seats available. Use this form to nominate yourself or another Hillcrest business person.